Muriel Elizabeth Bowser (born August 2, 1972) is an American politician serving as the eighth Mayor of the District of Columbia since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, she previously represented Ward 4 as a member of the Council of the District of Columbia from 2007 to 2015. She is the second female Mayor of the District of Columbia after Sharon Pratt, and the first woman to be reelected to that position.
Two men attacked in possible hate crime after suspect called them an anti-gay slur and referenced monkeypox
Metro Weekly, which first reported the attack. The pair was attacked by a group of seven young teenagers, who police say made derogatory comments ‘based on their sexual orientation’ before hitting the victims and fleeing.
After a bystander called 911, the police officers who responded drove the men to an area hospital. Both men were treated for non life-threatening injuries, with one receiving stitches on his upper lip.
Both of the men said they’ve experienced more homophobia in DC than they did in their home state of Texas. ‘I mainly feel shock that this could happen in DC in broad daylight, only three or four blocks from U Street, walking from a gay bar to public transit,’ one of the men, identified as Robert, told the publication.
Following the attack, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser said she was ‘extremely disturbed by the reported hate crime.’ I am extremely disturbed by the reported hate crime that happened in DC this weekend, and I send my support to the victims.It is our collective responsibility to understand the role we each play in building a safer community for all who live in and visit DC.My full statement: pic.twitter.com/cMNcPXDH3UThe police department’s LGBT Liaison Unit is involved in the investigation, which is being investigated as ‘potentially being motivated by hate or bias.’ While most monkeypox cases in the US have been reported among men who have sex with men, health officials warn that the virus can be contracted by anyone, and is not just limited to the LGBTQ community.
